Tips for a great cubby house

By Francesca Newby

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A cubbyhouse of your own is the most amazing thing when you’re five. There is a great range of cubbies on the market, from the very basic to the overly elaborate. There's also still room for the homemade model.

To buy readymade or do-it-yourself

The qualities of a good cubbyhouse are not set in stone; they depend largely upon your specific needs. Whether you plan to buil or buy, it's a good idea to write down a list of priorities before you start.

Visualising the house, and how you hope it will be used, is the best way to design the one you plan to build. A list is also handy if you're shopping for a ready-made version; referring back to it will help ensure you don't end up with something pretty, but totally unsuitable.

Photography: Scott Hawkins. Styling: Louise Owens

Sightlines

It�s important to place a cubbyhouse within easy sight of the house, preferably from where you spend the most time. Position the cubbyhouse at a slight angle in the yard to give children a feeling of privacy while they play but allow you to keep an eye out in case of any accidents.

Layout

A partially open front is a great idea; it allows for easy transition between inside/outside play and lets you see what�s going on with a quick glance.

Light

Cubbies can be rather dark, particularly if doors and windows are to scale. Having an open wall is one option, or using a sheet of clear, corrugated plastic for one of the roof panels is another great way to let the sunshine in.

Height

Elevating your cubbyhouse on stilts lets you use the area underneath as a sandpit, and add a ladder and slide.

Accessories

Imagination is still the best toy. A letterbox is a novel addition and a blackboard is great fun, while a window box looks pretty, plus they�ll love watering their own plants.

Published in Notebook Magazine

Issue: March 2008

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HRTLAN

added this comment at 10:06am Thu 2nd October, 2008

My husband is currently making our daughters a cubby house using excess and secondhand materials he kept from our renovation. The girls will have our old tassie oak floor and windows from our kitchen cupboards, as well as all unused timber. They will paint it with excess house paint and the only things we will need to buy are the bell for the front door! Although I've been frustrated by all the timber and iron left outside during the long renovation, the kids are now benefiting with their very own "Dad made it" cubby house! What could be more special!!!!!